Magnolia bank robbery still open for investigation

Surveillance footage of the suspect in the People’s Bank robbery in Magnolia on Oct. 30. Photos courtesy of Seattle Police Department

Two officers from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) were patrolling Magnolia on Tuesday, Oct. 30, when they learned of an armed robbery at Magnolia People’s Bank, 3300 W. McGraw St., around 2:30 p.m.

According to the police report, the suspect had already fled the scene in a southbound direction by the time police arrived. The police tried to find him, but to no avail. Returning to the bank, the officers set up containment of the area.

The only photos released from the bank’s surveillance cameras are two black-and-white photos of the suspect.

According to the Seattle Police Department Blotter, the suspect entered the bank with a large “ski-type” rain jacket with a bill on the hood, which was pulled tight around his face, and black, shiny “ski-type” pants.

His hands were in his pockets until he approached the counter, and one of the tellers revealed that the robber was wearing white gardening-type gloves and holding a small Glock or similar type of handgun.

An undisclosed amount of cash was given to the suspect after the suspect followed the teller back to the vault.

There were three employees working at the time of the robbery, only one of which was targeted by the suspect.

SPD Det. Mark Jamieson said that since Oct. 30, there have been no new leads.

“This is an open and ongoing investigation,” he said.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-40s, with a thin 6-foot, 1-inch build; a scruffy, gray beard; and wire-rim glasses.

FBI investigators and People’s Bank representatives could not be reached for comment.

Crime Stoppers tips

There are several other banks in the area surrounding People’s Bank, including a Key Bank, U.S. Bank, Chase Bank, Bank of America and Washington Federal. Crime Stoppers, an independent crime-fighting organization, has been encouraging people to bring forward tips on the robbery with the incentive of up to $1,000 in reward.

Tips given to Crime Stoppers deal with missing-person reports, elder abuse and robberies, a large percentage of which are bank robberies. Locally, since Sept. 25, Crime Stoppers has successfully cleared 4,973 cases and paid $403,659 in rewards.

According to Crime Stoppers regional office manager Liz Allen, Washington state has one of the highest rates of bank robberies in the country. Washington Bankers Association (WBA) partnered with Crime Stoppers about two years ago in an attempt to decrease this startling statistic.

WBA has traditionally paid a flat $1,000 reward for bank robbery tips, and since its partnership with Crime Stoppers, has increased the amount of solved bank-robbery cases.

Since the merger, “they have solved so many,” Allen said, 11 to be exact. Before this, there had only been a couple bank robberies solved.

If anyone has tips on the Magnolia bank-robbery suspect, they are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity for callers to encourage them to step forward without fear of punishment or payback.